Transcript Fisher Tropsch Process

Constandinos Mitsingas
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Overall Process
Syngas Production
Fischer Tropsch Process
Fischer Tropsch Reactors
Chemical Reaction Catalysts
Products
Benefits
Disadvantages
Current Research Areas
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60-70% of total cost
Natural gas has 20% CO2, more efficient and
cost effective
Coal, has 50% CO2, more abundant
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Input Materials
◦ Coal
◦ Natural Gas
◦ Biomass
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Process Chemistry:
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Temperature:150-300°C
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Formation of methane is unwanted
2𝑛 + 1 𝐻2 + 𝑛𝐶𝑂 → 𝐶𝑛 𝐻(2𝑛+2) + 𝑛𝐻2 𝑂
a. Slurry bubble column reactor; b. Multitubular trickle bed reactor; c. Circulating fluidized bed
reactor; d. Fluidized bed reactor.
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Two Most favored reactor types:
◦ Multitubular fixed bed reactor with internal cooling
◦ Slurry bubble column reactor with internal cooling tubes
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Transition Metal
◦ Cobalt
 Highly active
 Feedstock is natural gas
◦ Iron
 Suitable for low-hydrogen-content synthesis gases
 Lower quality feedstock, coal or biomass
◦ Ruthenium
 Very Expensive
 Hardly used in FT
◦ Nickel
 Favors methane formation
Table 1: Conventions of produced fuel
names and compositions
Table 2: Comparison of FT Diesel with two ASTM
approved Diesels
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No Nitrogenous compounds
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No Sulfur compounds
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Cetane rating (energy stored) 75-90% higher
than that required for petrochemical derived
diesel fuel
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Heat removal from the process
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Syngas Clean-Up
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Catalyst deactivation rate
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Change in feedstock
Table 3:Estimate of patents of the major companies active in FischerTropsch
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"Fischer–Tropsch Process." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia.
Web. 29 Nov. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fischer–
Tropsch_process>.
Boerrigter, H., and A. Van Der Drift. "LARGE-SCALE
PRODUCTION of FISCHER-TROPSCH DIESEL FROM BIOMASS."
(2004). ECN. Web.
"Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center: What Is
Fischer-Tropsch Diesel?" EERE: Alternative Fuels and
Advanced Vehicles Data Center Program Home Page. Web. 29
Nov. 2010.
<http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/emerging_diesel_w
hat_is.html>.